This study investigated if men and women, matched for initial strength (41 pairs), differed in their response to a single set (50 repetitions) of high force eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors on a curl bench. Maximal isometric force at 90 degrees, and muscle soreness before, immediately after, and 34 hours after exercise were measured. Changes in strength were assumed an indicator of muscle damage.

Women exhibited consistently greater force losses and fatigue than men. After 34 hours, women still displayed a greater indication of muscle damage than men. No gender differences were observed in soreness variables.

Implication. Women fatigue more and lose strength to a greater degree than do men when matched for the same level of initial strength.